Tag Archives: God's love

My Favorite Bible Verse

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I have had Christian influence in my life and I have heard others talk about their favorite Bible verses. Most will say that their favorite verse is John 3:16 which is probably the most popular Bible verse. There are several others that people will point to as their favorites.

When I think about mine, I always seem to go back to Romans 8:38-39 which says:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

To me, it is always comforting to know that nothing can separate us from God’s love. One of the most common prayers I pray is that God never gives up on me. There are times I fail and don’t really function well in Christian things but I am glad to know that God still loves me and that He doesn’t give up on me.

We have all sinned. No one is perfect. We mess up. It’s impossible to live a perfect life in an imperfect world. If perfection was the requirement, it would be a waste of time. God’s love makes the difference.

I like the fact that nothing can separate us from God’s love because, honestly, sometimes I feel pretty far away. I wish I could say that I always have a consistent prayer life or feel like I’m walking with God everyday. I’m just not always on it. It’s nice to know that nothing has to separate us.

I like these verses in the Amplified Version:

For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I have no doubt about this and neither should you. When you feel at your lowest point and you think that God has given up on you, these verses prove otherwise. God will be as close as you let Him be. Yep, we mess up and have seasons in our lives when we stray but God is eager and waiting to be there again.

I’ll be honest with you, there was a time in my life when I questioned everything about my life. Even though I was going to church every Sunday and working in the church, I was completely lost in direction. I asked God if there was something seriously wrong with me. I was supposed to be close to God but I certainly wasn’t feeling it. It wasn’t until I spent a week at a monastery that I discovered that God hadn’t left me, He was there for me in the silence of the monastery. When I removed all the noise and clutter of my life, I found Him there. He hadn’t left me. I was the one who had left. I found my way back to God and learned He was still with me. During that week, He referred me back to Romans 8:38-39 and that hasn’t left me.

If you’re feeling lost and separated from God, consider removing the noise and clutter in your life. God didn’t separate Himself from you, you separated yourself from Him. If you make the effort for God, He will be there for you.

Everyone has their own way and path. You will have to find it for yourself but realize that NOTHING can separate God’s love for you. He covered all the obstacles and excuses. Have no doubt that you could ever be separated from His love.

We Can Breathe Again

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Okay, everyone can breathe now.

Well, we could if we didn’t still have to wear a mask.

At least the election is over and we can put that behind us.  Whether your candidate won or not, life will go on.  Regardless of who wins an election, people aren’t going to be happy.  No one ever wins 100 percent of the votes.

Personally I’m glad to be talking about something different for a change. 

It’s time to breathe. 

If you are feeling a bit out of breath you can get it back.  

God said in Ezekiel 37:5 that He would put breath in us and make us live again.  

Why did He say that?

This Bible passage was written by the prophet Ezekiel.  Ezekiel had a vision about dry human bones coming back to life which was a representation of the rebirth of Israel.  Israel had become a dead nation without their king, their land and their temple.  It was a prophecy that Israel would come back to life again.  

Sometimes we feel like our life has been drained out of us.  It is especially true that many of us have been weakened because of COVID-19.  I know I am very weary from it and wonder if the day will come when life will return to normal.  There are times we all feel dead and hopeless.  

God has a way to restore our lives.  He is the creator so if anyone knows anything about restoring life to something that was dead, He certainly does.  

So, in reality, how does He do that for us?

When we turn to God, He can restore us and give us a renewed sense of purpose and direction.  We don’t have to be defined (or confined) to the circumstances around us. The Spirit of God is what can impart in us the ability to breathe again.  

Turning to God doesn’t mean He’s going to talk to you and tell you anything.  It sure would be nice if He did.  It would certainly make it easier but God works in the way that He works but it does work if you have the dedication and patience to allow Him to do it.  There is no super spiritual spooky way to get there.

What is always encouraging is knowing that God’s mercies are renewed in us every day.  (Lamentations 3:22-23)  I know there are times when I need a fresh start but there is hope in the start of a new day.  New days bring new hopes and possibilities.  

If you wake up in the morning with the weight of your life on your shoulders, you can believe that God’s grace starts over with you.  You don’t have to suffocate, you can breathe again.  

Let me be direct and cut through the religious talk here.

When you get up in the morning, don’t watch CNN, FOX or see the latest post on Twitter.  Don’t clutter your mind the first thing of the day.  Start your day with a fresh mind and attitude.  Instead try to start the day with meditation, prayer, silence or something positive.  Don’t bring noise into your mind the moment you open your eyes.  

Breathe.

Trust me.  This works but I will also be honest and say that it’s hard to do.  It is too easy to fall into bad habits.  It’s easier to turn on the television or looking at social media rather than praying to a God who doesn’t talk back.  It would be nice if God would send us a text or post something on Facebook.  

In Micah Tyler’s song “New Today”, he sings:

Your mercies are new today (Your mercies are new today)

Your mercies are new today, oh-oh (Your mercies are new)

I can rest on Your shoulders

There is grace to start over

Your mercies are new today, oh    

We can start breathing easier now if we start our days with a new today.  God can breathe life back into your life and help you to live again.